Gather God’s People: Understand, Plan, and Lead Worship in Your Local Church by Brian Croft
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Very good, and easy read. This book is a beneficial tool for those responsible to plan and lead worship. The authors begin with a solid biblical foundation of worship. This is not a book about style and technique but a call to maintain a biblical framework of worship. This is also not a book about music or music styles. The authors remind us that Biblical worship goes beyond music and includes 4 elements, Reading of Scripture, Praying Scripture, Preaching Scripture and Singing Scripture.
The authors then lay out some practical steps to plan each of these aspects of a church gathering. There are also reminders of what make a good worship leader. These qualities have nothing to do with charisma but having confidence in the word of God and the authority of the church and its leadership.
Yes there is the reminder that care must be taken in the public reading and praying yet leaders must be first convinced of the power of God’s word and the leaders responsibility to shepherd the flock not satisfy his own whims.
I would recommend this book for Pastors, Elder teams and worship teams, even youth and camp leaders and anyone else who are responsible to plan and lead a worship gathering and wants it to be more than a performance or concert.
Thinking About Theology 